Lean, Mean and . . . Howard Dean?

Howard Dean was on Meet the Press yesterday, (12/12/04), and said everything that liberal Democrats want to hear.  The message of our Democratic candidate got more votes than any other candidate ever for President, except for George W. Bush.  With a change of only 60,000 votes in Ohio John Kerry would be the President-elect.  We are not liberal Democrats; we are populist Democrats.

Howard Dean believes that the way to the Democratic Party reasserting itself as the party of the majority and the party in the White House is to move away from the center rather than towards it.  By driving up the numbers of our core constituency in registration and turnout we increase the power of our party and we win elections.

Dean has said everything but “I am a candidate for Chairman of the Democratic National Committee.”  He is reluctant to say it because he knows that the position has often, if not always, been held by Washington D.C. insiders.  Howard Dean is not an insider.  On the other hand, how does someone who is now known for the “I Have A Scream” speech reverse the common man’s opinion that somehow he isn’t crazy, he just the right guy that should be listened to and followed when shaping the message of our party.

This election of the new Chairman will have a profound effect on the direction the party will take over the next four years.  Picking Dean sends a message.  Not picking Dean sends a message.  You can draw a direct connection between who the Chair is and where the party is going.

Where do you think it should go?  Who should be the next Chair?  It's kind of hard to say when there are no other candidates you know much or anything about.  That does make Howard Dean’s belief that it’s an insiders position all the more valid.